$120 million claim filed against LAPD for killing unarmed 19-year-old Latino Man
/From [HERE] As friends and relatives arrived for the 1 p.m. funeral service, journalists gathered in front of Valhalla Memorial Park in North Hollywood. Jeffrey Galen spoke on the family’s behalf.
The attorney has filed a $120 million claim against the city of Los Angeles — a million, he says, for every bullet he alleges the LAPD fired at 19-year-old Abdul Arian on April 11.
"Once they started shooting at this man, it was like the wild, wild West," said Galen. "It was something that was undignified and something that we as a society cannot tolerate."
Tyler Izen, president of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, offered condolences to the Arian family in a statement. But he added that when someone ignores lawful commands from an officer, it often sets regrettable events into motion.
Six days ago, Arian led LAPD officers on a high-speed chase through the San Fernando Valley. Arian reportedly called 911 during the chase and told the dispatcher he had a gun.
The pursuit ended on the 101 Freeway in Woodland Hills when Arian ran from the police — and, they say, took an aggressive shooting stance. Officers at the scene opened fire and killed him.
The LAPD confirmed later that Arian was unarmed.
"No one is looking for anything but the truth in this case," Galen told reporters. "And the truth in this case, in our opinion is that there was clearly, clearly excessive force."
Some of Arian's family and friends wore white T-shirts with his face on them over their black dress clothes as they stood under an awning at the cemetery, watching the news conference from a distance.